PCOO Assistant Secretary for Operations Ana Marie R. Banaag, in her recent visit, introduced the program in a Provincial Development Council (PDC) meeting presided by Governor Francisco Emmanuel R. Ortega III, which was seen as the perfect avenue to encourage support.

PCO Net is a program to network government communication officers in the provinces in different parts of the country with the aim to bring a coherent and efficient flow of information to the grassroots level to cut back fake and unverified news.

“Since I learned that the provincial government has a unique and transformative way of governance system in bringing its services to the villages, we didn’t have any second thoughts of coming and introduce the partnership,” said Banaag in her speech.

“I am very grateful for the warm reception of this endeavor and I hope this opportunity to partner with you will be sustained to empower our communities through factual and reliable information.” Banaag added.

The PCOO official also commended the provincial government on its Performance Governance System (PGS) as it brings transformative results in the implementation of the different programs focused on agri-tourism to its constituents.

Also during the visit, she invited public information officers and media practitioners to join the National Information Convention (NIC) to be held at the SMX Convention Center Lanang in Davao City on February 19-21.

The said convention, organized by the PCOO through the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), will be attended by President Rodrigo Duterte, as the guest of honor and speaker.

The three-day event is aimed to gather public and private sector communicators to learn how to effectively empower communities through information and bring about social mobilization.

Earlier, Banaag already visited the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur to present the same.

The PCO Net Caravan continued in the province of Ilocos Sur on February 2 where Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar introduced the program. (JNPD/AHFF/PIA-1)

SAN FERNANDO CIT – As the good, old cliché goes, “Say your love with flowers and chocolates.”

Indeed, the freshness and beauty of flowers and the sweetness of chocolates make them ideal and traditional Valentines’ gift for a loved one. But what if the element of surprise is present as an add-on?

This is the concept of Philippine Postal Corporation’s (PHLPost) Love Express which brings one’s message of love fast and prompt.

“We want the people to know that we in the PHLPost are their partners in communicating their love and helping bridge this expression of their love to another person,” Rizalino Robles, marketing specialist III of the La Union PHL Post Office, declared.

Now on its second year, PHLPost’s Love Express runs from February 8 until Valentine’s Day.

In San Fernando City Post Office, for a minimal fee of P200 for the singing postman or postwoman, a delivery fee of P112, and a range of price for the choice of flowers and bouquet type, one could seek for their service and surprise anyone in La Union.

Initially, a team composed of four staff from the office will play the roles of singing kartero (postman) for the Valentine’s Day.

A day before Valentine’s Day, Atty. Nancy Lopez from the San Fernando City Legal Office availed of PHLPost’s Love Express to serenade City Mayor Hermenegildo “Dong” Gualberto.

According to her, it is one way of expressing gratitude and love to one of the most hardworking public servants she knows.

Delighted and surprised, Mayor Gualberto after the serenade said, “It feels good to hear some fresh voices singing a few love songs which cures a tired mind and body”.

He added, “Definitely worth recommending especially for those who want to experience the traditional means of sending their love to their special someone.”

PHLPost also provides services in the delivery of special items, through domestic express mail package, not only during the love month but all year-round.

It may be an old-school way of sending and expressing love, but Love Express guarantees to do it fast and special. (JNPD/JDS/PIA-1, La Union)

DAGUPAN CITY – The Philippines’ membership to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) paved the way for a zero-tariff scheme for specific products made in the country and exported to the member-countries, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

Marjury Lorezco, chief trade and industry specialist of DTI in Pangasinan, said the Asian Free Trade Area (AFTA) agreement among the 10 member states came in full blast in 2016.

Lorezco said business enterprises must grab this opportunity and be thankful that the Philippines is one of the founding members of ASEAN leading to the advancement of the economic community.

Meanwhile, Natalia Dalaten, also a chief trade and industry specialist of DTI, said buyers and consumers can be assured of quality products because exporters conform not only to the International Organization Standards (ISO) but also to the ASEAN Standards.

“Businesses must harmonize their products with the quality standards for a free flow and integration in a single market, so buyers are assured of products that are fit and safe,” Dalaten said.

Philippines is one of the 10 member states of ASEAN. The other nine include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (JNPD/VHS/PIA-1,Pangasinan)

SAN FERNANDO CITY – Members of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) of Region 1 has started preparing safety plans to ensure safe conduct of ASEAN 2017 meeting set in Laoag City in July.

About 300 delegates from the 10 ASEAN member-states are expected to attend the 35th Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME) in Laoag City to discuss renewable energy generation program.

Melchito M. Castro, regional director of the Office the Civil Defense (OCD) in Ilocos and chairman of the RDRRMC-1, initiated the conduct of an inter-agency meeting here on Tuesday to identify possible strategies, plans, and contingencies to guarantee the safety of the delegates and visitors in the ASEAN meeting.

“During our meeting, we approved a Site Task Group Emergency Preparedness and Response (STGEPR) and the Regional Strategic Action Plan for the ASEAN 2017 conference set in Laoag City for presentation to the National Organizing Committee (NOC),” Castro said.

He added, “Initially, we already identified the available resources of each DRRM member-agency for use for immediate response during emergencies.”

The RDRRMC-1 has identified at least seven most prevalent hazards in the region to include hydromet hazards (tropical cyclones, low-pressure areas (LPAs) and floods); fire; geologic hazards (earthquake and tsunami); flash mobs and rallies that may result to mass casualties; terrorist attack bombing and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear(CBRN) attack; food poisoning; and disease outbreak.

“The STGEPR of the RDRRMC1 through OCD-1 will direct and oversee the overall emergency preparedness, response, and consequence management for all natural and human induced disasters that may occur during the ASEAN meeting in Ilocos Norte,” he said.

To ensure the systematic application of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines of the STGEPR, a task group was created for the following areas: search, rescue and retrieval; medical emergency management; fire; chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN); DRRM; logistics /emergency telecoms (Rapid Emergency Telecommunications – RET); and camp management.

“In addition, we must also establish a Regional Incident Management Team (RIMT) that will undertake emergency preparedness activities and direct consequence management during the duration of the ASEAN 2017 at engagement areas,” Castro said.

Castor furthered that before the conduct of the ASEAN meeting in Ilocos Norte, the council will conduct series of meetings and simulation exercises to fully- equip with knowledge and practice the members of the task groups for the efficient execution of the SOPs and guidelines of the safety plan.

Meanwhile, Director Jennilyne C. Role of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region 1 announced that the massive advocacy campaign on ASEAN 2017 has already started in the region.

She enjoined all staff of the national government agencies and local government units in the region to help in and support the upcoming activities of PIA that are aimed at advocating ASEAN down to the grassroots.

Such activities include the installation of ASEAN kiosks in Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte and in San Fernando City, La Union, and “Fun run for ASEAN.”

She also asked the government agencies to submit information materials to PIA especially ASEAN-related materials for display at the PIA kiosks and for distribution to the public.

SAN FERNANDO CITY -Ten former members of the New People’s Army (NPA), who surrendered to Philippine Army in Ilocos Sur in the last quarter of 2016, have received their cash benefits and assistance through the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) of President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Wednesday.

Lieutenant Col. Eugenio Julio C. Osias IV, commander of the Philippine Army’s 81st Infantry Battalion which covers the provinces of La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte, said that a total amount of P807,000.00 cash assistance was jointly handed-over by Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis V. Singson and Major General Angelito M. De Leon, commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” division, in a simple ceremony at the provincial capitol.

De Leon emphasized that the CLIP is a complete package program for NPA rebels and active supporters (Milisyang Bayan), who want to go back to the folds of government and start a peaceful and productive new life.

“It is the duty of the public officials to ensure that every program on peace and development initiative of the government is well delivered and implemented to the concerned individual. This is a concrete proof of collaborative efforts of all concerned government officials and agencies for the delivery of government programs to the people,” De Leon said.

He said that the awarding of the cash assistance to 10 former rebels shows the sincerity of the government to end the conflict between the CPP-NPA-NDF and to focus on law enforcement efforts in bringing peace and development in the country.

“Despite the obstacles and challenges, we must continue our efforts in ushering lasting peace and true development in our area of responsibility by delivering the government programs and services to the people,” said De Leon.

For his part, Osias, who initiated the surrender of the NPA rebels, gave an emphasis on implementing government programs and said: “NPA rebels are also victims of false ideology, let us always open the avenues and communications in sustaining programs for them and for the people’s well-being.”

Meanwhile, Col. Milfredo M Melegrito, commander of the Army’s 702nd Infantry brigade said: “As a defender of peace and development, let us give our utmost sincerity in delivering programs and services to the people, to include the NPA rebels.” (JNDP/FGL/PIA-1)

DAGUPAN CITY, February 3 (PIA) – The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) conducted an orientation on the employees’ compensation program to media practitioners in North Luzon last January 28 at the Asian Fisheries Academy of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources office here.

Information Officer II Dexter Dupagan of the ECC-Regional Extension Unit 1 said the orientation intends to inform the media practitioners of their rights, privileges, and benefits in case of work-related possibilities such as sickness, injury, or death.

The ECC held the orientation during the seminar and accreditation examination staged by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP)-Pangasinan chapter on Saturday in this city.

At least 70 media personnel from different networks from the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union, Abra, and Baguio City listened attentively to Dupagan’s discussion as the information about ECC and its programs are new to them.

With the help of KBP-Pangasinan chapter, headed by its chairman Mark Gemson Espinosa who is also the station manager of iFM-Dagupan, the Commission was able to deliver information on the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP).

Dupagan said the ECP is a government program designed to provide a compensation package to public and private employees with employer-employee relationship.

“Under the ECP, they may enjoy the loss of income benefit, medical benefit, career’s allowance, death benefit and rehabilitation services,” he said. (JNPD/AMM/PIA-1, Ilocos Sur)

ROSALES, Pangasinan – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has rolled out anew its mobile training program to promote the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in eastern Pangasinan.

On August 18, DTI, in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the local government of Rosales, conducted a training on packaging and labelling in support to MSMEs engaged in food processing.

Natalia Dalaten, chief trade and industry development specialist of DTI-Pangasinan, said their agency provides such productivity training under the SME Roving Academy, a program for the development of MSMEs so, they become competitive in the domestic and international markets.

“Through the SME Roving Academy, a series of entrepreneurship briefing and sessions are conducted to assist entrepreneurs in making meaningful progress toward business success and sustain business growth,” she told the Philippine Information Agency.

Dalaten said another training which will focus on the current good manufacturing practices is also scheduled on August 24 in Rosales town.

For training registration and inquiries, she said that interested participants may visit the DTI-Pangasinan office at the second floor of Star Building in Arellano Street, Dagupan City or call (075) 515-3183 or text 0947-497-7889.

“They can also visit the Negosyo Center in Rosales town located at the ground floor of Robert Estrella Gym. Acceptance of participants will be screened and on a first come, first served basis,” she added. (JNPD/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)